Contract Duration – 8 months

Working arrangement: remote with trip

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this assignment is to provide high-quality technical expertise to UNICEF Malaysia and its partners in the design, development, and deployment of AI systems, models, and analytical solutions, aligned with UNICEF’s data governance and responsible AI frameworks.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy on the detailed deliverables and expected outcomes, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToRx TMC0002746.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor`s university degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information System, Geospatial or related field OR equivalency of minimum 10 years in related field instead of an advanced degree can be considered

Work Experience:

Minimum 7 years of experience in AI/ML development or data science.
Proven experience in:
1. developing and deploying machine learning models,
2. working with real-world datasets and analytical systems,
3. translating business/programme needs into AI solutions
4. NPL predictive analytics, or large language models (LLMs) is an asset

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English and Bahasa Malaysia

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Experience in development, Malaysian public sector, or social impact contexts is desirable
Experience in facilitating engagement, consultations and human-centered design.
Programming skills in Python, R, ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, or equivalent
Track record of building and deploying autonomous AI Agents, such as Microsoft Copilot Studio that trigger backend automation
Familiarity with LLM tools, embeddings, or RAG architectures is an advantage
Knowledge of UNICEF’s mandate, programming and advocacy for children in Malaysia
Excellent communication skills, and ability to articulate clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
Understand the value of commitments to end-users, products, and project teams.

Desirables:

Certification in AI or data science
Experience supporting responsible AI initiatives, public‑interest AI systems, or child‑ or rights‑sensitive digital solution
Experience in implementing PowerApps and Power Automate in enterprise setting

Technical requirements:

Work Samples – Three examples of previous relevant systems or work preferably including GitHub repositories, deployed applications (links/demos), CI/CD workflows and training delivered

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal Financial proposal TMC0002746.docx
3 work samples

Remarks:

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

AI Systems Development Consultant, Putrajaya, Malaysia, Digital Impact, Operations, 8 months, remote with trip (NATIONAL only)